Project teams today recognize the necessity to manage the human factor side of change on all projects. However, organizational change management means different things to different stakeholders. IT project managers see change management as the defined process controls in place to gain approval to change a project’s scope, schedule, and budget. On the other hand, executive leadership and the collective user community view change management as a change to behaviors, and the new and improved ways of conducting business. Everyone shares a common goal to realize value and achieve desired results. Many federal agencies face complex challenges with organizational change management (OCM) obstacles. Government stakeholders must see these obstacles as opportunities, not obligations. The agencies that implement and dedicate time and effort to enterprise OCM—the human side of change—realize superior benefits.

OCM thought leadership is critical for agencies looking to transform and modernize. The key is collaboration and iterative progress to gain buy-in. Just as agile processes are followed where projects are developed in sprints (lasting just days or a few weeks), a project can also undergo iterative or Agile OCM plan. A skilled thought OCM leader will have extensive communication expertise in Agile OCM and know how to create a strategic change plan that accelerates change adoption. MBA CSi’s OCM framework was designed for Agile transformation and accounts for the impact of new business processes, changes in organizational structure, and cultural changes within the enterprise.

OCM is valuable when change requires people to learn new behaviors. An Agile OCM plan itself is not enough. Instead, the value of an Agile OCM plan is realized incrementally through the improvements in human behavior and sustained advancements of work results. By setting expectations early, using tools to improve communication, and proactively identifying ways to reduce misinformation, agencies are more likely to adapt to change. To accelerate change adoption, we embed Agile coaches within Agile teams. Our coaches ensure teams understand the change impacts, assess training needs, and reduce productivity dips. Furthermore, Agile coaches customize the process for faster adoption without negatively impacting schedules. The right player-coach solution provides users with the confidence that their voice is heard, that their day-to-day work activities are understood, and their feedback is both welcome and implemented.

Another vital aspect of Agile OCM success is User Journeys. User Journeys inform all users, participants, and stakeholders of leadership priorities. After all, it is the leadership that must embrace new behaviors first to motivate the rest of the user community. This allows the agency to demonstrate vision, help understand user behavior (possible resistance), identify potential issues, and implement a realistic approach based on organizational readiness and capacity to change. The result is always an experienced partner who understands the agency’s business, enterprise environments, and provides the necessary level of support to execute its journey successfully.

Transforming culture can be challenging – especially when communicating at the speed of Agile. Our Agile OCM approach accelerates positive human behavioral change times. Experience is key, and our past performance highlights valuable lessons learned. Best practices and perspectives gained across high-visibility and complex programs allow us to identify and resolve challenges quickly. We also break down silos, improve leadership, and user adoption by demonstrating a shared understanding of strategic direction. This allows the agency to map organizational priorities and goals with mission requirements. Our Agile OCM approach scales to any customer and any mission.

It has been more than 20 years since the first introduction of Agile principles, and today Agile practices are widely accepted. Among the many benefits of Agile, one of the most overlooked and distinguishing ones is a customer retrospective. The Manifesto for Agile Development defines a retrospective as, “At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.” Simply put, retrospectives, or retros, highlight what is working well and what is not working well. The idea is to reflect on experiences with the motivation to improve continually.

MBA CSi embraces customer retrospectives. Our approach is to conduct customer retrospectives at least quarterly. The more frequent the retrospective, the better the team can better identify and track risks. Each key customer or stakeholder is invited to speak candidly to ensure all team members hear valuable first-hand feedback. Customers and teams collaborate in a formal, retro meeting, usually with a dedicated and independent facilitator. We find that an independent facilitator encourages everyone to share opinions and experiences so that a team can learn, collaborate, and improve. It is essential to recognize there are always ways to innovate and grow. Retros offer the opportunity to celebrate milestone successes, and also to identify blockers—issues or anything that slows down a schedule.

The goal of the retro discussion is to identify actions that are documented on posters or whiteboards. Usually, there are dozens of yellow stickies of action items and observations posted around the meeting room. Sticky notes are merely a placeholder for face-to-face collaboration and discussions. The facilitator gathers unique action items and ensures each one is assigned to an individual or owner.

Is traditional project management obsolete? Many traditional project management plans are based on a Waterfall or a Critical Path plan-driven approach. Under the right conditions, a conventional method can be successful. However, the Agile methodology is prevalent now. However, that does not mean we should shoehorn a one-size-fits-all approach.

Most everyone agrees that the best practice approach is to embrace new tools, processes, and technologies. Successful management and technology consultants adapt to a customer’s technology maturity and establish an every day/practical project management foundation. MBA CSi’s non-traditional approach is called Transformational Agile Management Approach (TAMA). TAMA provides insight and oversite. It combines the very best practices of Agile and traditional management approaches. Our TAMA approach encourages innovation and resists the notion of “that’s the way we do things here.” Our project managers and technology leaders can quickly and continuously validate project milestones against business objectives. It also allows both the project manager and customer to implement changes rapidly at a decreased cost with lower risk.

Using TAMA, we have experienced increased collaboration and project control through adaptable project plans. Essential activities are readily managed to schedule, programmatic insights are encouraged throughout day-to-day activities, and real-time documentation is available for stakeholder transparency. TAMA provides immediate and continuous feedback without impacting cost, schedule, or performance. It offers dependable performance synchronization with natural alignment to any client’s mission.

Strategically combining the best practices of each approach—and tailoring our approach to a customer’s technology maturity level—inspires creativity and innovation while providing planning and control to achieve predictability.

According to the International Ergonomics Association, “[Human factors] is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and other methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance” (International Ergonomics Association, 2010).

Designing products, systems, or processes that consider the interaction between corporations and employees is critical to the Occupational Health Service (OHS)—and our clients. One of our key clients uses many technology devices, including tens of thousands of mobility tools for mission-essential services. MBA CSi uses Human Factors Engineering (HF&E) to meet occupational health and safety and productivity goals. Generating proper ergonomic design specifications is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. Unfortunately, if appropriate ergonomic design specifications are faulty or non-existent, over time, it can lead to long-term disability.

MBA CSi uses HF&E for mobile device selection. HF&E allows a laser-focused approach to ergonomics. We use a dedicated lab to ensure both hardware and software are optimized. Our team operate repetitive tasks, diagnose and resolve issues, and train users to maximize productivity and efficiency. This helps minimize the potential for upper extremity injuries that could be associated with repetitive motions. Our approach to HF&E stresses the importance of user-centered or person-centered design. It ensures people, tasks, and environments are safe, effective, and efficient.

Need: The military’s need to strengthen its capability to deter, detect, protect, defend, and respond to the rising number of attacks on U.S. military networks.

We formed this Cyber Team with the best and brightest cyber professionals recruited from around the nation. They work from fixed, remote, and expeditionary locations worldwide to introduce capacities that protect and ensure U.S. freedom in cyberspace while denying the same to our adversaries. Collectively, our Cyber Team of professionals forms a community of practice that shares emerging security best practices.

In support of this mission, we employed advanced Web 2.0 tools and progressive barcoding technologies to attract and connect qualified candidates to the Cyber Team. We exceeded industry standards for the identification and hiring by more than 200%. Our propriety Agile Workforce and Talent Management solutions provide the additional support needed to identify and hire cybersecurity Rockstars. While technical expertise is essential for engagement, we empower and emphasize a collaborative spirit to guarantee success. To date, we have recruited over 400 cybersecurity professionals and maintain an exclusive cybersecurity database of over 60,000 candidates.

We designed our Agile Workforce and Talent Management Solution to scale to any agency’s mission or needs irrespective of technology or skill.

https://www.mbacsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cybersecurity-l.jpg11211687Sean Delaneyhttps://www.mbacsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_cleaned_color.pngSean Delaney2020-05-22 15:47:082020-05-27 01:16:41Blog Post: Building a Military Cybersecurity Team

MBA Consulting Services, Inc. (MBA CSi), a leading management and technology services company is pleased to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website – www.MBACSi.com.

The new site features a new corporate logo, a modern design highlighting its priority service offerings, and its experience delivering creative solutions for government agencies. The new comprehensive website ensures a user-friendly experience across all digital devices, including desktop and mobile.

MBA CSi continues to grow with a nation-wide presence of nearly 400 employees. “In the past year, MBA CSi focused on developing solutions that matter – collaborating with our government customers to protect, transform, and advance the lives of U.S. Citizens,” said Sean Delaney who leads Marketing and Communications. “We wanted to ensure that the firm’s distinctive capabilities were accurately reflected via our enhanced online presence.”

The website was developed with social capabilities at the forefront, offering users a one-click ability to share News & Insights across their social networks. It also contains integrated social media buttons for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to foster improved communication with clients, employees, and teaming partners. MBA CSi will continuously update content with helpful information, articles, blogs, case studies, company announcements, and innovative solutions. Lou Coleman, MBA CSi’s President & CEO said, “Our goal during the redesign process was to create a valuable, user-centric and responsive resource across all platforms and devices. Specifically, we focused on making it easier for our customers and potential employees to locate valuable information about our priority solutions offerings and career opportunities.

As part of the ongoing evolution of our company’s brand, MBA CSi is also proud to introduce the new corporate logo. Our business has grown and advanced over 30+ years, and we felt it was time for a change. We transformed our logo to reflect who we are today—a modern company with vision, service, and reliability.

ABOUT MBA CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
MBA Consulting Services, Inc. (MBA CSi) is a leading government solutions provider. We create innovative and transformative solutions that help government agencies optimize their technology systems, data, and mobility. We share a passion for creating real value and positive working relationships, and have become a trusted and impartial partner to our civilian, defense, and intelligence clients. We draw on our proven leadership expertise, diverse experience working with emerging technologies, and deliver the most effective and efficient solutions. MBA CSi was founded in 1988 and is a privately held company headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia. We have nearly 400 diverse and outstanding people in 46 worldwide locations.

Colturi is a senior information technology leader who has nearly 35 years of professional experience. He will lead MBA CSi’s delivery of solutions that solve mission challenges with agility, experience, and innovation. Colturi will report to MBA CSi President and CEO, Lou Coleman.

“Mark will play a critical role in leading, designing, and implementing MBA CSi’s next phase operations and growth strategies,” said Coleman. “Mark’s ability to direct multiple departments, solve complex problems, and lead and inspire a diverse team to innovate and improve/create services offerings is unmatched. These are all essential components of our ability to meeting current and future customers’ mission critical needs.”

“I’m excited to work alongside MBA CSi’s talented leadership team,” said Colturi. “I look forward to being a change agent for our customers and employees—to spearhead new initiatives and strategies that elevate both MBA CSi and our customers. It’s important to our customers that MBA CSi continues to provide innovative solutions that address their mission challenges both today and in the future.

The majority of Colturi’s career includes 25 years with Booz Allen Hamilton, a premier management and technology consulting company. He has progressively provided leadership in a variety of roles from application development programmer, to program/account manager, and business development principal. Colturi has additional experience serving as Senior Vice President of Operations for Salient CRGT managing a portfolio of $200M in annual business. Recently, he worked as Executive Vice President with Sevatec managing both the federal civilian and defense business.

MBA CSi is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, has more than 350 employees, and is in 46 locations worldwide. With proven leadership and a 20-year heritage, our reputation has been forged by acquiring and developing the best talent in a values-driven culture of integrity, respect, and quality solutions.

Former Salient CRGT Vice President Sean Delaney Joins MBA Consulting Services, Inc. (MBA CSi) as Sr. Vice President of Strategy. Delaney will report to MBA CSi founder and CEO Lou Coleman and lead MBA CSi’s strategic growth, capture, proposal, and marketing initiatives. “Sean will play a critical role in leading MBA CSi’s next phase of growth and direction,” said Coleman.

Sean’s ability to develop client and partner relationships, gather market intelligence, and provide the team with strategic direction and guidance on winning is important to MBA CSi’s growth.” “I’m excited to part of MBA CSi’s talented leadership team,” said Delaney. “MBA CSi has built a strong reputation creating innovative efficiencies that save real dollars for their customers. They offer a distinct ability delivering highly skilled engineering, IT, professional services, and facilities management expertise critical for successful mission solutions. Delaney is a 25-year information technology and GovCon veteran. Throughout his tenure at Salient CRGT, Delaney led strategic capture, proposal operations, and growth enablement. Prior to Salient CRGT, Delaney was General Manager for RCM Technologies. At RCM Delaney led key growth functions including business development, capture, and proposal operations as well as delivery.

MBA CSi is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, has more than 350 employees, and is in 46 locations worldwide. With proven leadership and a 20-year heritage, our reputation has been forged by acquiring and developing the best talent in a values-driven culture of integrity, respect, and quality solutions.

MBA Consulting Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that it was competitively awarded a 5-year, single award contract from the US Postal Service to support the Pricing and Classification Service Center in New York City. MBA CSi has been supporting the USPS PCSC national center for eight years.

As a national center, the Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC) provides one source for mail classification decisions, one staff, and one-stop shopping for customers and field employees who need direction on price application or mail eligibility. Since 1951, Congress has authorized special, preferred bulk mailing rates for nonprofit organizations that operate for charitable purposes. Central to PCSC and the solicitation’s scope is the administration of applications to mail at nonprofit standard mail prices. The service provided to the over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations not only helps more than eight categories of humanitarian organizations, but also reduces their costs to help each nonprofit organization better communicate their humanitarian messages and helps to bolster associated economies. This critical service requires PCSC to provide excellent customer service, responsive support, and effective performance, and MBA CSi is proud to support that effort.

“PCSC, in particular the non-profit team, is a flagship customer of ours. They were our first prime contract win. Being awarded the continued opportunity to support them for another five years is a great testament to our customer-centric employees in NYC and our support staff in our headquarters office in Chantilly,” said Ken Marsala, Senior Vice President of Operations.

MBA CSi provides value-added services to an array of federal agencies, contractors, and commercial customers in three core areas: Information Technology Solutions, Workforce Solutions, and Integrated Engineering Solutions. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, MBA CSi is a leading small business professional services firm focused on fulfilling our customer’s’ critical requirements. Through our proven, innovative approaches, we continue to share with our clients the benefit of best practices across the private and public sectors. Our highly qualified team brings specialized skills and years of experience that allow us to apply creative, proactive, out-of-the-box thinking to complex challenges.

We look forward in the coming years to playing a major role in providing our clients with the best solutions to meet their always challenging needs. Please stop by our web site and feel free to contact us at www.mbacsi.com.

MBA Consulting Services, Inc. (MBA CSi) has been awarded three Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts by the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center in San Diego, CA to provide Global Business Support (GBS) services. The value of the three contracts under this program exceeds $100M over five years. For the first time in the history of the GBS program, the three contracts will support not only US Navy and Marine Corps customers, but also all Department of Defense customers.

“GBS is a major win for MBA CSi because it’s three new prime contracts with a new customer base,” said Lou Coleman, President and CEO of MBA CSi. “We are excited to be able to support the US Navy and other defense programs, and I am confident that we will deliver exceptional logistics services to our new GBS customers while helping them and the GBS program achieve cost-saving benefits.”

The GBS requirements, and each awarded contract, were segregated into geographic regions. MBA CSi’s contracts were awarded to provide services in Area II – Southwest and Northwest, Area III – Southeast; and Area IV – Mid Atlantic, Midwest, and Washington, D.C. Task orders will be awarded from the regional NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Centers including San Diego, CA; Jacksonville, FL; and Norfolk, VA.

Headquartered in Northern Virginia, MBA CSi is a leading small business professional services firm focused on fulfilling customers’ critical requirements. Through proven, innovative approaches, MBA CSi continues to share with its clients the benefit of best practices across the private and public sectors. MBA CSi’s highly qualified team brings specialized skills and years of experience that allow it to apply creative, proactive, out-of-the-box thinking to complex challenges.

Our Mission

To transform, design, develop, and support mission systems and solutions that maximize digital and technical creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We satisfy our customers with expert management and technology consulting services with creativity, collaboration, and innovation.